Bill > H651

This bill aims to improve vocational-technical education in Massachusetts through several key provisions. It establishes a competitive grant program administered by the Executive Office of Education to provide up to $25 million in capital and equipment funding for expanding high-quality career technical education programs in high-demand fields. The grants prioritize schools in Gateway Cities, those with existing oversubscribed programs, schools with strong employer connections, and those ready to quickly expand capacity. The program will award at least $100 million annually for three years, funded by the Fair Share Amendment. The bill also increases reimbursement rates for vocational-technical and agricultural school construction projects, boosting rates by 20 percentage points to a maximum of 90% of eligible costs, with additional points for schools offering multiple Chapter 74 programs aligned with regional labor market needs. Furthermore, the legislation requires the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to develop policies to promote vocational-technical education, including mandating that middle schools provide equitable access to information about these programs, facilitate school tours, and share student contact information with vocational schools. The bill also modifies school district membership rules to allow cities and towns to be part of multiple regional school districts and offer vocational programs in municipal high schools under certain conditions, provided there is demonstrated student and labor market demand.

Education

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H651